"Turning the other cheek" is what you should do. I'm not Christian, but I can see when a principle is solid regardless of its source. For example, before the existence of this thread, I had no knowledge of the show, and would have no interest in it anyway. But now, because of this thread, I am more likely to watch an episode. I will bet dollars to doughnuts that outrage is exactly what the producers of the show depend on. You just advertised their show for free.

And, as Mofo said, look at the bright side. Look at Mormonism. It is on the rise and is experiencing an almost "cool" perception, and you can thank the success of shows like Big Love, that largely portrayed many dark aspects of the faith. The fact that this show exists is ultimately good for Christianity. I would probably find the show more annoying than you and I'm not Christian.

And if you're looking for me to bemoan a decrease in religion in the world, you're barking up the wrong tree. It's all about perspective. I'm not religious, and I see the Christian right as constantly encroaching on my life. I am more exposed to Christian faith and morals now than I ever remember 30 years ago.

JOOC, in what way do we "encroach" upon your life? Because we wish to share with the rest of humanity a wonderful blessing?

We don't hold rusty butcher knives to people's throats, to bend them to our will....THAT'S encroachment.

That's a fair question. "Encroach" may be a bit harsh, and I don't mean it in its harshest of senses.

Just as Christians feel that the nation is becoming less Christian and non-Christian values are being forced upon the public, I feel like the Christian right is increasingly trying to shoehorn Christian doctrine into government policy. Further, the government makes policy decisions, including foreign policy, that are influenced by Biblical doctrine moreso than in any other point prior to WWII. The U.S. support of Israel is preferential well beyond anything we've ever lavished upon any other nation, with perhaps the exception of England during WWII. I here some trying to justify such virtually unconditional support in the name of stability in the region, but some of the Christian right politicians have been honest enough to admit that it is based on a Biblican imperative that we must stand by Israel or suffer the wrath of God. At no point prior to the establishment of the state of Israel has the U.S. lavished such support of one nation, and certainly not for such obvious religious reasons.

This is one example of how the government is making major policy decisions influenced by Biblical doctrine, in particular a preference of one religion over another, that I am a representative of the people do not approve of. You are free to disagree with me, or feel that perhaps the Christian moral majority agrees with the support so therefore we should give it, but we as a nation have embroiled ourselves in a holy war, and I'm not okay with it. I'm further not okay with the inevitable cultural blowback that happens with any war, where now we have cultures populating our country whose ideals are alien and detrimental to our way of life.

This is what I mean by encroachment. I did not mean it in a sense that Christians are coming to my house and threatening to behead me or burn me at the stake if I don't convert like they used to. I am happy that doesn't happen anymore.

Logged

I don't always talk about bad movies, but when I do, I prefer badmovies.org

I agree, the title and the premise of the show are just stupid and kind of offensive. But it could be worse...at least your religion has had positive portrayals and has been represented accurately in media. Mine, well...we get lumped in with another group entirely when our existence is even acknowledged, and then we get to pick from one of three portrayals: misinformed idiots who'll try anything "spiritual" at least once even if it defies basic common sense, angsty teenaged girls (and it is always girls) who want to gain magic powers to rebel against their parents and society, or just plain evil gits who sacrifice people and animals to Satan just before the orgy. Not to mention that one of our sacred sites tend to be portrayed as a source of ultimate evil in b-movies...

I agree, the title and the premise of the show are just stupid and kind of offensive. But it could be worse...at least your religion has had positive portrayals and has been represented accurately in media. Mine, well...we get lumped in with another group entirely when our existence is even acknowledged, and then we get to pick from one of three portrayals: misinformed idiots who'll try anything "spiritual" at least once even if it defies basic common sense, angsty teenaged girls (and it is always girls) who want to gain magic powers to rebel against their parents and society, or just plain evil gits who sacrifice people and animals to Satan just before the orgy. Not to mention that one of our sacred sites tend to be portrayed as a source of ultimate evil in b-movies...

I agree, the title and the premise of the show are just stupid and kind of offensive. But it could be worse...at least your religion has had positive portrayals and has been represented accurately in media. Mine, well...we get lumped in with another group entirely when our existence is even acknowledged, and then we get to pick from one of three portrayals: misinformed idiots who'll try anything "spiritual" at least once even if it defies basic common sense, angsty teenaged girls (and it is always girls) who want to gain magic powers to rebel against their parents and society, or just plain evil gits who sacrifice people and animals to Satan just before the orgy. Not to mention that one of our sacred sites tend to be portrayed as a source of ultimate evil in b-movies...

Wicca?

Druid. Like I said, when media acknowledges that we exist at all, they sort of assume that we're just like Wiccans (lots of real similarities and we get on quite well, but we're not exactly the same) and then slap Wiccan misconceptions on us, too. The same thing happens to every other Pagan group, too.

They would have to have Anne Hathaway in a string bikini for me to check it out at this point!

Hey, Indy! How's this....

Logged

If it's true what they say, that GOD created us in His image, then why should we not love creating, and why should we not continue to do so, as carefully and ethically as we can, on whatever scale we're capable of?

The choice is simple; refuse to create, and refuse to grow, or build, with care and love.

The U.S. support of Israel is preferential well beyond anything we've ever lavished upon any other nation, with perhaps the exception of England during WWII. I here some trying to justify such virtually unconditional support in the name of stability in the region, but some of the Christian right politicians have been honest enough to admit that it is based on a Biblican imperative that we must stand by Israel or suffer the wrath of God. At no point prior to the establishment of the state of Israel has the U.S. lavished such support of one nation, and certainly not for such obvious religious reasons.

I thought we supported them because they provide a friendly face in Oil Country.

Wonderful, another show I have no interest to watch. I want a good remake of Lost In Space, and I want it today! Now on to more serious matters:

Quote

Just as Christians feel that the nation is becoming less Christian and non-Christian values are being forced upon the public, I feel like the Christian right is increasingly trying to shoehorn Christian doctrine into government policy.

Traditionally, the nation has had Christian morals. When another group tries to change this, Christians resist. Where people want to change laws, they try to keep said laws from being changed. Where laws were never written, where communities assumed there was no need for laws, they enact new laws.

Quote

The U.S. support of Israel is preferential well beyond anything we've ever lavished upon any other nation, with perhaps the exception of England during WWII

I think we support Israel because we we're embarrassed/grieved for not stopping Hitler sooner. In fact, I think that embarrassment/grief changed us from an isolationist nation which stayed out of foreign affairs to a nation which must help oppressed nations. We're trying to make up for not bombing Auschwitz.

Quote

And, as Mofo said, look at the bright side. Look at Mormonism. It is on the rise and is experiencing an almost "cool" perception, and you can thank the success of shows like Big Love, that largely portrayed many dark aspects of the faith. The fact that this show exists is ultimately good for Christianity. I would probably find the show more annoying than you and I'm not Christian.

I'm not sure of this. 50 years ago most people took religion seriously. Now, few people do. This show is a symptom of apathy. Furthermore, Christians are accused of hypocrisy, the very thing Christ chided the Pharisees about. I cannot deny this, but there are good Christians. This show will spread the message of hypocrisy, not the message of Christ.